Where did I disappear to?

In case, you're wondering, it's been a little busy around here. We got an offer (at the end of June) from our apartment management company to move into a larger apartment in another building. We took some time to think about it (24 hours) and moved 4 weeks later (end of July). I haven't pulled out my machine yet, but am trying to get settled into my new space. I finally have my own space. (Okay, so I share it with a couple office things: computer, fax machine, file cabinet; but otherwise, it's all mine.)

In between the job offer and moving, we celebrated the 4th, went away for the weekend with good friends, celebrated Chris's birthday, attended our college alumni picnic, Chris started his new quarter at college, and we managed our old and new buildings. Obviously, things have been a little crazy. This weekend was supposed to be quiet, except for the wedding that Chris was supposed to play in on Saturday. Due to work, he didn't arrive until the end of the wedding. Luckily, a friend graciously stepped in and most people didn't even notice that he wasn't on the stage. Saturday night, my parents' neighbourhood was hit by a tornado. The damage was mostly in the woods behind the house. After a full day of professional tree guys and friends and family helping, there is still a lot to do (possibly 15 trees or more lost).

On the sewing front: I was working on something before we moved, but haven't touched it since. Can't give more details than that, since it is a surprise. A friend asked me to help her make curtains this last week.

To-do list

My to-do list is slowly shrinking. I got a lot done in WI, at least I think I did. We ended up staying up until 4:30 a.m. our first night there and 2:30 a.m. the second night. Needless to say, we were all exhausted by the end, but are looking forward to doing it again sometime. I'm finally starting to get the hang of free-motion quilting and stippling. A friend's mom gave her pointers and she passed them on to me. I finished a doll quilt for a friend's daughter, a quilt top for my younger niece, and a pair of flannel pants for my older niece. I started and have since finished quilting my son's quilt and baby Noelle's quilt. Now I just need to finish binding the two quilts and I can cross them off the list, too. I still need to layer, quilt, and bind my nieces' matching quilts (for Christmas) and get going on my pile of homemade presents (almost all my gifts are going to be homemade this year).

Back to WI

I'm off to WI again. The Crafty Chicks are congregating at the cabin to make a big mess with fabric and paper, watch lots of movies, eat junk food (and hot meals...seeing as how we're all moms...whoever heard of a mom eating a hot meal?), and stay up until odd hours of the night (we're talking 3 a.m.). See you next week!

Finito!

I love that I actually got stuff done this week while on vacation! I did some decorative sewing on a pile of receiving blankets; now I just need to handstitch a small area on each one (the thing I dread most!). I started (and finished!) a flannel blanket for one niece and flannel pants for the other niece, as well as a nursing coverup for a friend. I started (but haven't finished) a receiving blanket and matching purse for a good friend. The weather was cold, but we had several gorgeous days. We woke up to a dusting of snow this morning.

The cabin in WI

My corner of the sunroom (by the fire)

The view over my sewing machine!

The best part was catching movement out of the corner of my eye and looking up in time to see a bald eagle (or 2 or 3 or 4) soaring and diving over the lake. (They have a nest around the corner.)

I can't wait to be back here in 2 weeks for a craft retreat with some friends!

Vacation!

I am off to Wisconsin to sew (and have a much-needed family vacation). I have a long list to work on: a nursing cover-up, receiving blankets, 3 quilts, 1 flannel blanket, and a purse. We'll see what I get finished...